Hospitality in Glasgow to remain under level 3 rules for another week

Hospitality businesses in Glasgow will be subject to tough restrictions for at least another week, with the city set to remain in level 3 of Scotland's five-tier lockdown system.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would be premature to relax the rules as the situation remains "fragile". The Indian variant of coronavirus accounts for about half of all new cases in the city.

Leon Thompson, executive director at UKHospitality Scotland, said the news was a "bitter blow" for businesses.

Glasgow is the only area of Scotland still under level 3 lockdown rules, meaning hospitality cannot serve alcohol inside and can only serve food indoors until 8pm.

Outdoor hospitality can open subject to local licensing restrictions and people can meet inside restaurants or pubs in groups of up to six from two households. Travel in or out of Glasgow is not permitted without a good reason.

However, Sturgeon said there were signs coronavirus cases were stabilising in Glasgow and if progress continued the city may be able to move to level 2 from 5 June.

A decision on the change will be announced no later than Wednesday (2 June) next week.

Under level 2 alcohol can be served indoors until 10.30pm, but customers must pre-book two-hour slots. People can meet up to six others from three different households in a restaurant, pub or bar.

Thompson said: "UKHospitality Scotland members in Glasgow are experiencing devastating financial burdens with owners, operators and workers struggling with the pressure of this ongoing situation. Waiting another week in the hope of good news will sap morale further, heaping more misery on businesses that have not been able to trade fully since last October.

"It is essential that the Scottish Government fully recognises the devastation being caused to Glasgow's most important business sector and provides the necessary financial support to hospitality businesses, to avoid closures and job losses."

Sturgeon said she was "aware" of the economic impact of restrictions and said grants would remain available for eligible hospitality and leisure businesses in Glasgow.

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